I love podcasts. I listen to them while I am driving, working, and exercising. Podcasts give me a glimpse into things that I would never discover on my own. When I am cleaning my house, I can learn about economics or science. When I am exercising, I can find camaraderie with other parents or laugh at comedians. Podcasts can make dreaded tasks tolerable.
We spend a lot of time in the car. When school starts in a few weeks we will be in the car even more as we drive to and from two different schools. As the beginning of school looms so does the argument about what will be on the radio for these daily rides.
Podcasts we love to listen to as a family:
1. What if World
What if World with Mr. Eric is our new favorite podcast! Each week a caller asks a "What if" question. Through a story, the listener is taken to What If World where the cast of characters plays out the proposed scenario. "What if it rained candy?" "What if everyone had a pet unicorn?" The wackier the question the better the story. Your child can call in with their "what if" questions too!
2. Wow in the World
I like almost everything that comes from NPR. How can you go wrong with the company that produces This American Life and Planet Money? Wow in the World brings fun and entertainment to science and current events. With topics like “Brain Freeze!” and “Mosquitoes, Stinky Socks, and Bread…Oh My!” everyone in the family learns something and has a good time listening.
3. Brains On
Brains On has led to many in-depth conversations about a wide-range of topics during car rides and over dinner. Each week a different kid co-host joins Molly Bloom, Marc Sanchez, and Sanden Totten to interview experts in various fields and find out why things happen the way they do. Even my two-year-old gets in on the fun with the weekly mystery sounds.
4. Short and Curly
This podcast is about ethical dilemmas, but it isn’t all serious. There is a lot of fun and silliness too! Short and Curly gets kids thinking and families talking about ethical questions on a level children can understand. “Do you have to love your siblings?” “Why can’t kids vote?” The podcast gives you clues as to when it would be a good time to stop and talk about the questions together. I love hearing what my kids think on different topics and the reasoning behind their thoughts.
5. Dream Big Podcast
A fantastic mother-daughter podcast where they encourage children and adults to pursue their big dreams. They interview people who have made their big dreams a reality. Eva, the host, is an amazing 7-year-old with a talent for interviewing. The guests on Dream Big Podcast range from entertainers and entrepreneurs to scientists and sports stars. This podcast has something for every type of dreamer.
6. But Why
Kids from all over the world find answers to their “But Why” questions in this podcast. With questions like "Are Yawns Contagious?" and "Why Do Your Fingers and Toes Wrinkle in the Tub," I find myself forgetting that this is a podcast designed for kids. My daughter is working on her "Why" question right now so she can send it in.
7. The Saturday Morning Cereal Bowl
A great podcast with 2 hours of kid- and parent-friendly music to keep you entertained on long car rides or hanging out at home. Saturday Morning Cereal Bowl is full of kids’ music that you as the parent might actually enjoy. This isn’t your wheels on the bus and the ABCs for two hours. There are some very cute covers of songs from my younger days. This week I loved listening to Squirrels by Uncle Dox.
8. Story Pirates
Story Pirates is a podcast where actors, comedians, and musicians take stories written by kids and make them into musical theater. We are HUGE fans of musical theater around our house. In fact, my five-year-old will turn any story into a song and dance so this is right up our alley. These 15- to 20-minute podcasts are perfect for our ride to school.
9. Tumble
Tumble is a science podcast for kids that parents like too. It combines science with storytelling to form a wonderfully entertaining partnership. This family team of podcasters believes that if children understand and enjoy science, the world will be a better place. With shows like “The puzzle of the flipping cat” they are definitely making science enjoyable.
10. Storynory
Storynory combines classical and original stories told by a woman with a beautiful soothing voice. When we listen to Storynory everyone, even me, sits quietly and enjoys the story. I save these podcasts for times when I want a peaceful car ride. They haven’t failed me yet.
